Tommy is the current Event Operations Manager at SIX AM. From underground clubs in Hawaii to the heart of LA's electronic music scene, Tommy shares his journey of how he became part of the SIX AM family. With tales of epic parties, psychedelic experiences, and overcoming event management challenges, get ready to hear from the man that keeps the party going.

 

What’s up Tommy! It’s great to be able to chat with you about your experiences here at SIX AM! How is everything right now?

Thanks for having me! Always a pleasure to share my experiences with SIX AM 🙂.
Everything is going well on my end. Super busy though with all the events happening.

 

How did you originally get introduced to the rave scene? How long have you been a part of SIX AM, and how did you get involved in the first place?

Well, I was part of this underground after-hours club/collective in Hawaii.  It was named one of the best clubs in the world, according to DJ MAG, for numerous years. My roommate/best friend (who I also grew up with in Guam) became the manager of that club. So I was there almost every weekend. The club hosted many notable figures in the electronic music world, such as Dubfire, DJ Tennis, Nina Kravis, Bonobo, John Digweed, all the Dirtybird crew, etc etc.

I got involved with SIX AM when I decided to move to LA in 2016.  I have known Jia since 2010.  The friends that I grew up with in Guam that had moved to LA were in the same circle of friends as Jia.  Not to mention, one of my best friends’ older sister (whom I also grew up with) was once married to Jia.

One day, I called Jia to let him know that I was moving to LA.  Knowing what I know from being involved in the underground scene in Hawaii, I asked him if there was a spot for me in SIX AM to continue my involvement in the scene.

He enthusiastically said yes!

 
I, coincidentally, happened to be in Guam while EIF 2016 was happening and so, Jia threw me into the pit to see what I was made of.

My first job with SIX AM was being the stage manager for EIF Guam 2016. That was a humbling experience.  I had absolutely no experience in stage managing at the time.  Therefore, I royally f*cked up the first day where the headliners and their managers did not want to talk to me or even look at me. The next day, I pulled myself by the bootstraps and crushed it Day 2. By the end of Day 2, I was chumming it up with the headliners and managers that were, at first, upset with me during the first day LOL

Then I moved to LA after that.  Jia needed someone to help run the warehouse events in LA and so I was up for the task.  And the rest is history.

 

You currently hold the privilege of being SIX AM’s events operations manager, and are gearing up to soon take over the reigns as the events director in the near future. But being a part of SIX AM for as long as you have, what are all the other roles and responsibilities you’ve taken care of during your tenure with the company?

Well, just within the event-side of things, I did it all. At first, the events were small enough where I would do every single position possible within events: bartending, door, barbacking, event set up, event breakdown, toilet paper switch, trash can emptying, and I even did security.

Outside of events, I used to assist in social media under the guidance of Jonny and Marco. I don’t do that anymore.  It wasn’t really my strong suit.
During the pandemic, events were forced to take a pause.  Therefore we pivoted our focus to promote our apparel line.  I created the first edition of our Shopify website.  I also handled all shop fulfilments and customer service. My house was the first fulfillment center and customer service center for Shopby6AM.

Once the pandemic ended, I went back to being the Events Operations Manager but I now handle Artist Logistics as well.

 

Before dedicating your career to being full time with SIX AM, you used to be involved in the psychedelics industry having worked with psilocybin mushrooms. How do you feel psychedelics can benefit people, and how do you think this generation is overcoming the negative stigma that’s been associated with psychedelics? Why do you think there is such a strong association with the rave scene and the use of psychedelics? 

People can absolutely benefit from psychedelics!  I used to microdose everyday! It has done tremendously for my mental health (and physical health!).  Psychedelics do wonders for anxiety, focus, depression, and that list goes on and on.  Right now, psychedelics (especially psilocybin) are going through what cannabis went through before cannabis became legal.  It’s going to be legal very soon.

The negative stigma associated with psychedelics is definitely dissipating at a rapid pace, due to new scientific research that explains the numerous health and mental benefits in its consumption.  Celebrity/influencer endorsements advocating for the use of it via social media have also shed some light on the positivity of psychedelics.

Psychedelics are no stranger to the rave scene.  In fact, psychedelics were in-attendance during the very first rave.  Besides the obvious sonic and visual euphoria, there’s also the feeling of bond and love from those around you when you’re under the influence of psychedelics. 

However, this goes without saying… All in moderation.

 

Most people don’t really know what it takes to run the operations of an event like SIX AM and to make sure everything goes smoothly. What have been some of the biggest challenges you’ve had to overcome managing the shows all these years? How long did it take you before you had everything down to a science?

Oh man, we ran into sooooo many challenges over the years.  I think the biggest challenge we faced was when we got shut down by police but we managed to just relocate the party elsewhere.  In 1.5 hours, we were able to get the party up and running again. I think this happened 2 or 3 times.  I remember that it happened once when SNTS headlined and another time when Oscar Mulero (I think?) first headlined.

To be honest, I am still finding new ways to improve our event operations. However, it did take about 2 years (give or take a few months) to operate our events to where it is now.  I do have to add that we didn't have as much staff at first.  Having the events team that SIX AM has now exponentially increased our success in throwing events.  I cannot thank them enough for being a part of it.

 

It’s safe to say that a majority of the people that have gotten involved with SIX AM in recent years have had to go through you first as a volunteer before officially being welcomed to the team. What are some things you look for in a potential team member before officially bringing them in? And on average, how many people do you have to filter through looking to join SIX AM each year? 

I try to give all volunteer applicants a chance to be a part of the team (except if you’re under 21 years old). It’s rare that applicants do not pass the application review portion but it still happens.  If there are any conflicts of interest or if the responses on the application are weak, then I don’t reach out to those applicants.

Reliability, communication, and showing initiative/enthusiasm. These are just some of the qualities I look for when looking at potential team members.  Are they in it for themselves? Or do they actually want to contribute to the techno community? Do they just want to party? Or do they want to help build and nurture the scene?

I went through countless people through the volunteer program.  I lost count years ago.  I call the volunteer program “the gauntlet”.  I even say that to new volunteers as I onboard them.  It’s hard work to ensure a smooth operation during an event.  Therefore, the volunteer program is a great way to filter out people that just don’t have what it takes.

 

What makes SIX AM so special for you and why do you consider it a privilege to be a part of it? What about SIX AM makes it worth dedicating your life for? 

SIX AM is very special to me.  I found my California family.  Many of the close friends I have today I met through SIX AM.  I can’t imagine what my life would be like if SIX AM didn’t exist.  I’m grateful to be a part of the foundation that has built SIX AM to be the company it is today.  It gave me purpose, it gave me a career, and it also gave me hope.  That’s why I give my life to the company. It’s like Pascal’s Wager - I stand to gain from SIX AM because I believe in SIX AM.

 

Thanks for all the insight Tommy! Is there anything else you’d like to share?

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL SCENE. Buy a ticket. Tip your bartenders. Don’t be a dick or a creep. Be kind to each other. Look out for one another. Dance the night away. Protect your ears. Last but not least, put your damn phone away.